As they went under the same thought was in the mind of each: Were
there any sharks around?
"Help! help!" cried Sam, as soon as he came up. "Our boat is sinking.
Help!" And Tom soon joined in the cry. They had caught hold of the
overturned boat, but the craft, for some reason, failed to support them.
Captain Blossom was close at hand, and he advised them to strike out
for the shore.
"It's in this direction," he said, and led the way.
"I--I can't swim very far with my clothes on," gasped Sam, yet he
struck out as best he could.
"Hullo! Who calls?" came a cry from the shore, and, looking up, they
saw Dora standing there, with Nellie and Grace Laning close beside her.
"It's Tom and Sam!" cried Nellie.
"And Captain Blossom," added Grace.
"Perhaps we can throw them a rope," came from Dora, and she ran to
get the article she had mentioned.
But by the time she returned the three swimmers had reached a point
where they could touch bottom with their feet, and, watching for a
favorable opportunity, they rushed ashore, almost into the arms of
the girls.
"Oh, Tom, how glad I am that you are safe!" cried Nellie, while Grace
caught hold of Sam and asked if he was all right.
"Yes, I am--am all right, but--but pretty well fagged out," gasped Sam.
"It was a close shave," said Captain Blossom. "And our guns are gone."
"We had two dead goats, too," put in Tom. "They went overboard first,
and--goodness gracious--is that really Dan Baxter?"
"Dan Baxter!" ejaculated Sam, and even Captain Blossom stared in
amazement.
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